Robin Thicke singing his controversial song Blurred Lines, which many found objectionable. Credit: Reuters

The lyrics of the song have been accused of being alarmingly similar to justifications used for attacks on women, and women's groups have said they promote dangerous views around the issue of sexual consent.

The poll was voted by the coalition of more than 60 member groups working to end sexual and domestic groups. David Cameron came second for the second successive year.

Sarah Green of the End Violence Against Women Coalition pointed out that Thicke's video had created such a backlash that it had actually had the effect of fuelling a campaign against videos using sexist imagery. She said:

"Our heartfelt congratulations to a worthy winner Robin Thicke for both his concerted sexist efforts, and in the end the platform he created for rejection of the use of women as objects to promote mediocre pop.

"Sexism might be de rigeur for some music industry 'creatives' but the times they are a changin'."